TCI impacts over 17,000 women with family planning services in Yobe
The Challenge Initiative (TCI) has reached 17,436 women with family planning services across Yobe State within three years of support, officials said on Wednesday in Damaturu.
Hajiya Mairo Hassan, State Sexual Reproductive Health Coordinator, disclosed the figures at a Transitioning and Dissemination Meeting tagged “Transitioning Towards Yobe State Government Self-Reliance in Family Planning”.
She gave a breakdown of beneficiaries in TCI-supported local government areas as follows: Potiskum 9,993, Nguru 3,026, Fika 1,669, Fune 1,084, Damaturu 1,030, Karasuwa 510, and Jakusko 124.
Hassan said grassroots-level implementation changed the outlook of family planning in the state.
She added that integrated social mobilisation, state media collaborations and community sensitisation raised awareness and improved access to services.
She further noted that data feedback, constant validation, and on-the-job training improved documentation, while collaboration between government and TCI strengthened partnerships with other stakeholders.
According to her, the intervention brought about positive change in mindset among frontline stakeholders and enhanced institutional memory through local capacity-building.
Hassan, however, cited insecurity, resource constraints, and cultural barriers as continuing challenges, and recommended stronger advocacy, prompt release of funds, recruitment of nurses and midwives, and sustained awareness creation to dispel myths about family planning.
Dr Olukunle Omotosho, Senior Technical Advisor at TCI, said the initiative had provided intensive support for three years after which Yobe State had attained a level of self-reliance.
He stressed that TCI would now offer “light touch” technical support, leaving Yobe government and partners to lead interventions.
“The collaboration with Yobe State Government, UNICEF, Marie Stopes International and others has been excellent.
“Going forward, the state should prioritise timely procurement of family planning commodities to sustain gains,” Omotosho said.
Dr Babagana Kundi Machina, Executive Secretary, Yobe State Primary Health Care Board, said the partnership influenced Yobe to budget N100 million for family planning, of which over N73 million had already been released.
“We are not yet where we want to be, but with TCI’s support and government commitment, we are confident of sustaining progress,” Machina said.
Similarly, Alhaji Ibrahim Maikasuwa, Director of Community and Family Health Services, said TCI’s capacity-building efforts had made health workers more skilled and knowledgeable in family planning.
“Before TCI, access to services was a major challenge, but with their support, our health workers have become more competent. Even without TCI, the system can now flow,” Maikasuwa said.
